WITH roads closed to allow the marathon runners to pass safely, runners, visitors and city residents are being urged to plan their journeys to York on Sunday, well in advance.

Thousands of people will be arriving at, and leaving the site, and organisers have said people should plan their trips in advance and allow plenty of time.

Race organisers are putting on shuttle buses from the railway station to the race start and finish, as well as park and ride facilities.

There will be no parking at the University of York site, or in the immediate vicinity.

Runners and spectators have had the chance to pre-book spaces at special park and ride sites at York College and York Auction Centre in Murton, but bookings have now closed for both sites as well as the shuttle buses running between the railway station and the race village at the University.

However, local bus operators will be running services between the city centre and the University site, costing just £1 for a return ticket.

Organisers are also encouraging people to car share with another runner to help make best use of the space available.

Drop-off points will also be available for runners at the University of York campus.

Signs warning drivers of the road closures for the marathon around the city centre have already gone up.

The closures will start on Saturday, October 19, at noon, when University Road will shut between Innovation Way and Green Dykes Lane, and will end at 9pm on Sunday when it reopens.

The A166 Stamford Bridge road – which brings runners back into the city from Stamford Bridge – will close between the city boundary and the town from 6am on Sunday, and reopen at 4pm.

Other roads on the route will close at sometime between 9am and 10am, and will reopen between noon and 5pm when the race is over.

In addition, several roads near the route will be closed, or will have no waiting or parking restrictions or bus access only, from 6pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday.

Close to the University, Heslington Lane, Field Lane and other roads in the area will all have a one-way loop in places to create drop-off and pick up zones for runners at the race start and finish.

Full details of road closures are available online at theyorkshiremarathon.com.

Sonja Crisp, City of York Council's cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, said the marathon promises to be an exciting day for York.

“York provides the perfect landscape for long-distance runners to clock that personal best.

“The participants, their supporters and families can be assured of a warm welcome to our city.

“The prestige of this, the first Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon being hosted in our beautiful city and the amazing work the organisers do, adds to a growing sporting legacy ahead of Le Grand Départ in July 2014.”